Transit Service Planner

LYNX is looking for a detail-oriented, data-driven (Transit) Service Planner to help shape the future of public transportation in Central Florida! If you enjoy improving how people move through the community, analyzing transit performance, and helping design efficient routes and schedules, this role is for you.

Position Description:
This position is responsible for assisting the Manager of Service Planning in reviewing the performance of LYNX transit services and improving the design of such services to improve efficiency. The individual in this position may be required to conduct field tests as well as analyze electronic data from sources such as automatic passenger counter (APC) and automatic vehicle location (AVL) systems to calculate accurate running times. This position works in close cooperation with the Transportation, Maintenance, Marketing, Customer Service, and Human Resources divisions/departments to develop transit services and produce public schedules.

This position is considered safety-sensitive and subject to the provisions of the Substance Abuse Program Policy for Safety Sensitive Positions.

Essential Functions:
This list is intended to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification and is not designed to be interpreted as an exhaustive listing of all tasks required of employees assigned to the job. All employees will be expected to perform other duties as assigned. All jobs require regular and reliable attendance.

• Assists in the development, review and printing of all fixed-route informational aids. Assists the Data Analyst with information requests.

• Responds to service requests and complaints from all sources. Coordinates with all departments providing service planning and scheduling information and reviews data.

• Assists in the development of regional and jurisdictional service plans and cost proposals. Analyzes route and service performance to determine areas where transit service can be improved in terms of efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness.

• Prepares ridership, on-time performance, productivity, and other route and service measurement as requested by the Manager of Service Planning or Director of Planning and Development Uses scheduling software to evaluate data and make manual adjustments to schedules as necessary; ensures full utilization of LYNX’s software investments.

• Uses automatic passenger counters (APCs), automatic vehicle location (AVL), and other Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) to measure passenger traffic and schedule adherence.

• Develops specific routes and scheduling assignments. Accurately calculates scheduled run times for specific existing and proposed new services.

• Participates in special services development.

• Updates bus operator/block schedules, maintains route-operating instructions, and copies and maintains block schedule materials for bus operator bids.

• Assists in planning the number of stops, length of routes and runs per shift according to union/management procedures and cost per mile/hour.

• Provides information and assistance to the customer service division, marketing department, transportation supervisors, and operators about route and service changes as they occur.

• Reviews draft public schedules for errors to final publication.

• Meets with bus operators and customer service representatives to obtain data necessary to perform route, service, and schedule analysis.

• Prepares written evaluations of proposed route, service, and schedule changes and makes field investigations.

• Briefs members of the public and representatives of community organizations on pending and evaluations of route and service changes as part of the outreach team.

• Communicates with coworkers, management, and others in a courteous and professional manner.

• Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures, instructions, safety rules and wearing/using all appropriate safety equipment.

• Participates in the Running Time Committee.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Business, Statistics, Transportation or a related field.

• Minimum of two years of public transportation, planning, transit scheduling, service planning or a closely related discipline; or a combination of related experience, education, and training.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license and safe driving record.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with transit planning software (Trapeze experience preferred).

• Experience in transit, planning, or scheduling.

• Experience with union contracts.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to operate a personal computer with strong skills in the utilization of various computer software programs such as Word and Excel, database, and Trapeze FX scheduling software or similar transit software applications.

• Ability to pay close attention to detail.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations.

• Ability to analyze and interpret data regarding ridership, traffic surveys, maps, etc.

• Ability to demonstrate a thorough understanding and practice of excellent customer communication skills.

• Ability to work a flexible schedule that may include some weekends and evenings.

• Ability to gain thorough knowledge of the street and highway network in Central Florida including Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties.

• Must have a professional, courteous demeanor.

• Ability to work in a diverse environment.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with those encountered in the course of work using principles of excellent customer service.

Work Environment and Special Considerations:

• Works in an office environment and requires long periods seated.

• Performs field tests and service assessments, including work on transit vehicles, construction areas, transit stops, and railroad rights-of-way, with exposure to weather and physical hazards.

• Operates LYNX non-revenue vehicles to test routes and verify scheduled run times.

• This position requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as viewing a computer terminal and extensive reading.

• This position requires the ability to verbally express or exchange ideas by means of spoken word.

• May be required to travel out of town on a periodic basis.

Mission Critical Workforce Member:
LYNX provides the community with much needed public transportation, and it is important for the Agency to resume its services as quickly and as safely as possible in the event of any natural, technological, or human-caused emergency or disaster. This position is considered a mission critical member of LYNX’s emergency preparation and response efforts during an emergency or disaster and as such, will be asked to work during these emergencies or disasters. Therefore, mission critical team members are required to prepare their homes and family for the impending emergency at least 48 hours in advance.